USS New York

New Military Vessel. This bit of news brought out some pretty strong
feelings for a lot of folks...





USS New York

With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious
assault ship USS New York has already made history. It was built with 24
tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA
to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on
Sept. 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total
reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a
spiritual moment for everybody.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the tradecenter
steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck
stood up. It had big meaning for all of us,' he said.

The ship's motto? - 'Never Forget'"